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Thome Trying To Find Self At Plate

Jaret Wright Will Be Out Another 4-6 Weeks

CLEVELAND -- The Indians are a team built around offense and they have not hit like they have in the past, especially Jim Thome.

Thome has been reeling at the plate, hitting only .243 with 16 home runs and 37 RBIs. He is currently in a 3-for-31 slump with one home run and two RBIs.

"I had opportunities (to drive runs in) and I haven't got the job done," Thome said. "I spent a lot of (Wednesday) trying to make adjustments to my swing.

"I have watched tapes from back in 1996 and I am looking at things that are different now."

The telltale sign of Thome's struggles was during Tuesday night's game when Indians manager, Charlie Manuel, pinch-hit for him in the eighth with Enrique Wilson.

"That was a tough decision, because Jimmy and I go way back," Manuel said. "Jimmy is a confidence guy and you have to be leery of hurting his confidence.

"But with a side-arm lefty on the mound, I thought we had a better chance to get a hit with Enrique."

Manuel was Thome's manager when he won the International League's batting title with a .332 average in his last year at triple-A. Thome said that he respects any decision Manuel decides to make that affects him directly.

"Charlie has been my manager the last nine years and he pulls for me more than anyone else," Thome said. "I have to respect the fact that he did what was right for the team.

"It is tough, but I just try to put myself in his situation."

Thome's batting average has dropped since he batted .311 in '96. He batted only .277 last season with 33 home runs and 108 RBIs.

"The difference is in my back foot," Thome said. "My eye angle is different than it was back in '96 and '97.

"I have to work to get it done myself."

Not only has Thome seen the difference, but Manuel also has. He notices more of a difference in Thome's stance than anything.

"He has always had an open stance," Manuel said. "He has been closed at the plate and his hands are higher rather than perpendicular with his body."

Despite having his worst average at the plate in his eight-year career in the big leagues, the fans have not grown too concerned. Thome leads the American League in all-star voting at first base.

He recently passed over Oakland's Jason Giambi, who is hitting .303, and leads with 326, 802. Giambi is right behind him with 291, 274.

"I don't really pay attention to the voting," Thome said.

Slumps are something that are common in baseball and Thome knows that all too well this season. He said that he knows that he has to battle and work to get out of it.

"I have to try to see the ball and hit it," Thome said. "You can't dwell on the past in this game or it will keep eating at you.

"We all care about winning, I just have to try to get better everyday."

In other news, the Indians received the report on Jaret Wright's shoulder and the word is that he needs rest. He is expected to be out another 4-6 weeks.

"He was told that he needed rest only," Manuel said. "The earliest we could get him back would be in a month. He will start throwing in about two weeks."

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